NHSA HAILS U.S. HOUSE PASSAGE OF HEAD START REAUTHORIZATION
WASHINGTON, D.C.///November 14, 2007//National Head Start Association (NHSA) President and CEO Sarah Greene issued the following statement today:
"On behalf of the National Head Start Association, the children, parents, staff and teachers of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, and the Board of Directors, we salute the members of the U.S. House of Representatives for their bipartisan support last night of the reauthorization of America's premier preschool program, Head Start.
Established in 1965, Head Start is the most successful and longest running national school readiness program in the United States. Head Start has served over 25 million preschool-age children, infants, toddlers, and pregnant women since its inception. The successful reauthorization of Head Start by the U.S. House signals the continued legacy for future low-income children and families.
The National Head Start Association has been working tirelessly for the last five years to ensure that this Reauthorization bill protects the values and goals that all Head Start children, employees and families hold dear. As the national association representing the Head Start community, we speak for more than one million children and their families, 200,000 staff, and 2,700 Head Start programs. With the assistance of over one million volunteers, these programs comprehensively meet the early childhood development, educational, health and family needs of our children.
The Head Start reauthorization bill is a lesson in bipartisan cooperation and leadership in addressing a critical priority need of our country - the preschool readiness of our children.
The "Improving Head Start Act" addresses income eligibility, where the working poor are supported and provided incentives to work; terminates the National Reporting System; helps more programs operate full-day and year round; reaffirms the accreditation of teachers in early childhood; provides expansion for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start and American Indian/Alaskan Native population; and underscores the importance of parental involvement in the education of their children.
Therefore, we call upon the U.S. Senate to join the U.S. House in an overwhelming vote of support for the "Improving Head Start Act of 2007" so that this bill can be sent to the President for his signature."
ABOUT NHSA
The National Head Start Association (http://www.nhsa.org) is a private not-for-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families. It represents more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff and 2,600 Head Start programs in the United States. The Association provides support for the entire Head Start community by advocating for policies that strengthen services to Head Start children and their families; by providing extensive training and professional development to Head Start staff; and by developing and disseminating research, information, and resources that enrich Head Start program delivery.
CONTACT: Ailis Aaron Wolf, (703) 276-3265 or aaaron@hastingsgroup.com. |
